Wealthy villagers in Upton Grey and The Candovers, Hampshire, tried to pay for their own bobby - PC Andy Reid (pictured) - to avoid losing him as part of a cost-cutting shake up

Wealthy villagers tried to pay for their own bobby to avoid losing him as part of a cost-cutting shake up.

The constable, who has patrolled their picturesque community for more than a decade, is set to be given a much wider beat as the Hampshire force battles to save £65 million.

So locals volunteered to pay £60,000 for each of the next three years to keep PC Andy Reid dedicated to their quiet streets.

It was first official request from residents to fund a police officer, though many have turned to private security guards. However the offer was rejected for fear of creating a ‘two-tier’ police service where the wealthy could pay for better protection than poorer neighbours.

Parish councillors in the villages of Upton Grey and The Candovers submitted a formal request to the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Hayes to cover the costs, including a 4x4 response vehicle, if PC Reid was retained as a ‘dedicated beat officer’ for the area.

But Mr Hayes told them: ‘The provision and funding of policing services needs to be equitable.’

The two villages are relatively crime-free. Official figures show only one crime – theft from a vehicle – was reported in Upton Grey in August, but locals believe that is precisely because of their dedicated police presence.

Fallon Barnes, who runs the village pub, The Hoddington Arms, said: ‘It is important to the villagers that the bobby on the beat is retained. Crime probably is relatively low here, but maybe one reason for that is there is still a regular, visible police presence.’ Hampshire is facing the loss of 1,200 officers and staff by 2020 as the force meets government-imposed cuts.

The villages are not the only wealthy community to be seeking their own police force.

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In the North London enclave of Hampstead, residents hope to ‘crowdfund’ £600,000 over three years to pay for officers who could not be deployed elsewhere.

The local police station was closed last year, fuelling concerns about violent crime. So far about 45 people have said they would pledge a total of £60,000 a year to maintain two extra constables and a sergeant.

Locals volunteered to pay £60,000 for each of the next three years to keep PC Reid, pictured at a fete, dedicated to their quiet streets

London Mayor Boris Johnson said he would ‘study’ the idea, while the Tory contender to take over the job next year, Zac Goldsmith, said it was ‘not completely outlandish’.

However local commander, detective chief superintendent Penny Banham, said it does not set ‘a good precedent’, while Steve White, chairman of the Police Federation that represents rank-and-file officers, said: ‘This would open a loophole that could lead to better resourced policing for affluent areas and worse services for the rest. We don’t want “police by private hire”.’

Jessica Learmond-Criqui, who is organising the crowdfunding attempt, said: ‘We’ve seen violent crime rise since our police station was closed, and the Met has got to save twice as much money over the next few years. There’s going to be a knock-on effect.’

Scotland Yard said: ‘Senior officers work hard to balance the policing needs across the whole borough. Hampstead remains one of the safest areas in the capital.’